Why I despise the iPhone.

[tonybro]

Griph,

I like your thoughts and I am happy for you. I really gave the iPhone a go but in the end it didn't do it for me.

...and that's the nub of the issue - it is personal choice!

I don't particularly like the form factor of the iPhone either. Too thin and big but that will be because my hands are unique - as are everyones. In the same way I find the original Diamond too small. My Orbit 2 and Xperia X1i are my ideal devices as they physically fit my hand and offer me the power and functionality I require both in my work and personal devices.

[Griph]

Dont get me wrong guys - I completely understand your view points and as I said this is only my opinion. I realise that the iPhone wont suit everyone - and to be frank that isn't what I am saying.

Regarding using all the functionality of the WM device - I believe the vast majority of users don't do that - just being on this web site sets us way above the average user. I think I am an above average user of any mobile device - yet obviously I'm not in the same league as you all!

I haven't noticed any problems with sound quality documented or otherwise. Perhaps my old ears are no longer able to tell the difference - but the sound quality seems fine.

As for headphones without wires - thay will be sorted when Apple launch iPhone 3.0 Rom update this summer - along with many other functional improvements I am sure you are aware of. I will get the upgrade for free - how many times have I had a significant ROM update on my WM devices? Umm ... So rare I can't remember - but I've already had two and another on the way for the iPhone.

Its easy to knock Apple - and for several issues that criticism is wholly founded and justified - but for a device that is only 2 years old - I have to admit they have had a huge impact on the mobile market.

As far as I am concerned its about time someone delivered a kick to WM's butt to get them to make some significant developmental progress - with all the talk about WM7 - where is it - we are only just starting to see 6.5?

Apple will have the next version on the market before WM7 come to us - WM are IMVHO doing too little too late!

[waveydavey]

You say the iPhone has come a long way, I tend to think it is just coming up to scratch. I guess the difference between us is that I wouldn't sacrifice stability than functionality, and in no way would I ever sacrifice security for ease of use. That's the way I see the iPhone right now. You are right though, I'm an old school IT boy, and that's the way I see the world.

I agree Microsoft are playing catch up already in certain arenas and I agree that WM7 is, in my opinion as well, far too far away. I guess only time will tell what the next generation of devices and OS's bring but I still think the current iPhone generation is lacking. If the rumours of a new iPhone nano comes with OS4 I'll give it a look.

Dave, here's a challenge for you. Remove all the 3rd party apps from your phone and run with it for a week. You'll still be able to be happy in the knowledge that your device is secure and that you have good tech but the usability will be shocking.

I know the iPhone is less stable than my iPod Touch but I'll bet that it is better than the Xda 1 & 2 in that respect so I think you are being overly harsh in criticising this.

What Apple are good at is providing functionality that the mass market wants, it might take them a while to get up to the exacting standards that you require but the average Joe is more than happy with their iPhone. Their OS is infinitely more friendly than WM at the moment and knowing MS as we do I seriously doubt that this will actually change significantly with WM7. Apple created a consumer device and then set to work to make it enterprise friendly which is the polar opposite of MS's approach so coming from an enterprise standpoint you are bound to come down on the WM side. Every new iOS release has addressed major criticisms successfully, can you truly say the same of WM?

I've been just as big a critic of the mass hypnotism effect of Apple products in the past too as you know but now I think you might be falling into the fanboy trap of sticking with an arguement that is no longer true. The iPod Touch is the best MP3 player on the market at the moment (the sound quality is fine for 99% of users) and has introduced a whole legion of normal consumers to PDA type functionality.
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[waveydavey]

I know what you're saying mate, and for 99% of the user base not having added apps would be a problem. For me, the only thing I tend to out on a new device is Sudoku. I do understand that's not the norm though. The point about that though is that WM is all about TP apps, it always has been. Is there anyone out there who installs and runs a PC with only the OS? No, and that's the point with WM. The whole "take the apps out of the equation" line negates any valid discussion IMHO.

I hear what you're saying about the fanboy thing too, and if I'm honest I'm playing devils advocate here and fighting WM's corner a little more vehemently than I actually believe, simply because I'm wanting to get everyone's point of view to the surface. In my heart with decent hardware and apps I truly do believe WM is the best, but I understand my needs are different to everyone elses and there's not a lot in it either. I also know that for some the iPhone does everything they want it to, but that isn't the point of this thread. It's the attitude that really annoys me. The reason "Why I despise the iPhone" is that the iPhone isn't the best device on the market and it isn't the first touch screen smartphone. It isn't an enterprise class email device (security) and it isn't a true GPS device (from a navigation perspective). In short it isn't what Apple say it is, and it isn't what all the new Apple fanboys think it is. I'm tired of advertising and Joe Public telling me what I know is not true and that's why I despise the iPhone. I know it's all still evolving and granted Apple are being very proactive about it but it's not happened over night. The first iPhone was released almost 2 years ago. That's not quick by anyones standards surely? Finally the other thing that annoys me is MS's stance on the whole situation. WM7 may well be the phone OS to end all phone OS's (humour me) but with a release of 2010 it'll likely be too little too late. Being a WM MVP (and a bit of a fanboy I'll admit too) that frustrates me as well. We need WM7 now, not WM6.5.

[Griph]

Originally Posted by irblinx

Dave, here's a challenge for you. Remove all the 3rd party apps from your phone and run with it for a week. You'll still be able to be happy in the knowledge that your device is secure and that you have good tech but the usability will be shocking.

I know the iPhone is less stable than my iPod Touch but I'll bet that it is better than the Xda 1 & 2 in that respect so I think you are being overly harsh in criticising this.

What Apple are good at is providing functionality that the mass market wants, it might take them a while to get up to the exacting standards that you require but the average Joe is more than happy with their iPhone. Their OS is infinitely more friendly than WM at the moment and knowing MS as we do I seriously doubt that this will actually change significantly with WM7. Apple created a consumer device and then set to work to make it enterprise friendly which is the polar opposite of MS's approach so coming from an enterprise standpoint you are bound to come down on the WM side. Every new iOS release has addressed major criticisms successfully, can you truly say the same of WM?

I've been just as big a critic of the mass hypnotism effect of Apple products in the past too as you know but now I think you might be falling into the fanboy trap of sticking with an arguement that is no longer true. The iPod Touch is the best MP3 player on the market at the moment (the sound quality is fine for 99% of users) and has introduced a whole legion of normal consumers to PDA type functionality.
posted via mobile portal

I pretty much agree with everything you say there - it IS all about user experience - and the iPhone with all its current faults (and believe me I am completely clear as to what they are) is just a much more usable device. I dont need a prodder - my thumbs work for everything - I tried going back to the Touch Pro - and the user experience after using the iPhone is horrible and slow. As I said earlier - iPhone is evolving - at a rate where the changes are evident - WM's evolution has been VERY much slower - personally unless MS pull out their finger I give Apple 2 years and most people will be saying Windows Mobile Who!

I moved from Psion to Pocket PC in 2000 because I could see the writing on the wall - I am getting that same feeling again with WM hence my move to iPhone - we might not be there YET - but just wait! Apple's development model means that they can easily keep churning out new upgraded versions to take on the lumbering leviathan that Windows Mobile - its software and hardware producers is becoming - their will always be advocates for it I am sure - and IT professionals may not agree - but you may be in a significant minority!

[Griph]

Originally Posted by waveydavey

The first iPhone was released almost 2 years ago. That's not quick by anyones standards surely? Finally the other thing that annoys me is MS's stance on the whole situation. WM7 may well be the phone OS to end all phone OS's (humour me) but with a release of 2010 it'll likely be too little too late. Being a WM MVP (and a bit of a fanboy I'll admit too) that frustrates me as well. We need WM7 now, not WM6.5.

Two years is certainly quick when compared against the Windows Mobile model - where will the iPhone be when it has been around for 9 years? I agree with you on the speed of development in WM - and I completely accept you comments on the current limitations in the iPhone - but things are evolving - and I might be willing to put money on it long term - unless MS really do start to see the writing on the wall.
Tell you what - if I am wrong and Apple don't continue to evolve to a state where WM becomes a poor relation by 2011 I will donate £50 to Daron's War Chest. I have had a huge amount of enjoyment from PocketPC and the support sites like 4WM - I'm in no hurry to junk them - but guys - things have gotta change!

[waveydavey]

I do agree that the Apple development is quick but you must agree that in some part the evolution of WM, Palm and Sybian up to now will have provided a baseline that the iOS was built on. This meant that the Apple iOS had a leg up in the first place. If Apple and MS ad started at the same time you could argue timescales but they didn't. That's got to be worth a couple of years worth of development at least. Also, If you DO think about WM, in 7 years we've had 2002, 2003, 2003SE, WM5, WM6. If you include 6.1 and 6.5 that gives you 7 major releases in 7 years. It's not too bad performance. It's really only WM6 to WM7 that has been tardy.

2011? I'll be old by then! I don't remember what I did yesterday let alone 2 years ago!

[johnston411]

I'll set a reminder on my iPhone Dave and I'll remind you myself

(sorry I couldn't resist)
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[waveydavey]

Y'know other than birthdays (of which I have annual reminders for all my family and friends) I don't use the calendar functions on my phone. Never have. Dunno why.